Plate-finishing machine



W. M. WOOD AND H. REYNOLDS.

PLATE FINISHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 15. I918- 1,385,41 6. Patented July 26, 1921.

ISHEETS-SHEET 1.

INVENTORS W. M. WOOD AND H. REYNOLDS.

PLATE FINISHING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED APR. I5. 1918.

Patented July 26, 1921.

7$HEETS-SHEET 2.

A'r-rws W. M. WOOD AND H. REYNOLDS. PLATE FINISHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILEDIPR. 151 I918. 1,385,416.

Patented July 26, 1921.

7 SHEEN-SHEET 3.

F'IG.3.

INVENTORS Maw? M ii M w Arrvs.

W. M. WOOD AND H. REYNOLDS.

PLATE FINISHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED.AFR. 15, I918.

1,385,41 6, I Patented July 26, 1921.

7 SHEETS-SHEET INVENTORS W. M. WOOD AND H. REYNOLDS.

PLATE FINISHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR-M1918- 1,385,416, Patented July 26, 1921.

ISHEETS-SHEET 6.

INVENTORS W. M. WOOD AND H. REYNOLDS. PLATE FINISHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. l5| I918. 1,385,416.

Patented July 26, 1921.

TSHEEIS-SHEET Z- F'lG.12.--

I I I h M057 InII R\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\NIM//////////A H v manila-2 I UNITED STATES,

PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM: 11. wool), on NEW Baien'ron, nownnn REYNOLDS, on NEW YORK, N. In, ASSIGNOBS TO B. non AND 00., or NEW YORK, 1v. 2., A CORPORATION or NEW Yonx.

PLATE-FINISHING MACHINE.

Specification ct Letters Patent.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, WILLIAM M. WOOD and HOWARD REYNoLns, citizens of the United States, residing respectively, atNew Brighton, county of ltichmond, and New York city, county of New York, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Plate-Finishing Machines, fully described and represented in the following specification and the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the same. I

This invention relates to certainimprove ments in trimmm or finishing machines for trimming or finis ing unfinished or partly the same such as described in my pending application Serial No. 137526, filed December 18, 1916.

In the production of such plates, after the plate is made it is hacked and the plate is then registered with respect to the printing surface thereon, and after it is registered certain registering guides are formed in an edge of the plate by which the plate may be guided or controlled during the subsequent trimming or finishing operation, these guides acting to so position andcontrol the plate during the trimming or finishing that only the one registration of the plate is required.

It is one object of the present invention" to provide a machine for trimming or finishing a plate such as described intlie above mentioned application, in which there will be provided ages or other suitable regiscurately registered with respect to its printing surface and after this registration a mechanism for producing the registering guides in an edge of the plate, and mecha nisin whereby the plate maybe trimmed or finished while positioned and controlled by the guides. I

It is a further object at the invention to produce a mechanism whereby as the plate 1s registered by the registering gage or other registering device, the trimming mechanism which subsequently acts to trim the plate Wlll be simultaneously adjusted to correspond with the adjusting movement of the registering devices, thus obviating the necessity of separate adjustment by the operator for the trimming devices and consequently permitting greater speed in the finishing of the plate. 7

It is a further object of the present inventlon to "produce a mechanism for acc0mplishing the results aimed at with as small number of parts as possible, particularly in the trimming devices.

With these and other objects not specifically referred to in view, the invention consists in certain novel parts and combinations which will now be described in detail in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which lgure 1 is a plan view of the machine,

certain parts being broken away, the plate being shown in registered position with the mechanism for producing the registering guides shown in operative relation thereto; Fig. 2 is a side elevation, partly in section, of the construction shown in Fig. 1, the view being taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig; 3 is a plan view, partly in section, of parts of the construction shown in Fig. 2, the view being taken on the broken line 3-8 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a plan view, partly broken away and partly in section, taken on the line &---4; of Fig. 2, showing the mechanism for driving and controlling the various operative parts of the mechanism;

Fig. 5 is a plan view, partly in section, of part of the construction shown in Fig. 3, this view showing the'first plate carrier operating mechanism in a different position from that shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 isa sectional detall of the cutter guard; tering devices y which the plate may be ac- I Fig. 6 is a detail plan view, partly broken away, showing the first plate carrier operating mechanism in a still diiferent position from that shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view of a sliding guard construction for preventing chips from getting in the path of the first plate carrier, the section being taken on the line Patented July 26,1921.

Fig. 8 is a detail side sectional view of the mechanism for operating the chip guard, the view beingtaken at the left of the construction shown in Fig. 5 looking toward the guard;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8, showing the parts in different position;

F ig. 10 is a detail view, partially in section and partially broken away, showing the second carrier in section and part of the operating'mechanism therefor, the view being taken on line 1010 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 11 is a detail view, partly in section, showing the driving mechanism for the second carrier, the view being taken on the line 11-11 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 12' is a plan view. of a delivering mechanism which may be employed for receiving the plates after they are finished;

Fig. 13 is a sectional view of the construction shown in Fig. 12, the section being taken on line 1313 of that figure, and

. Fig. 14;- is a side view, partly in section, showing the second carrier at the end of its forward movement and the plate in the position it assumes when the carrier is to begin its backward movement.

Referring now to the drawings, and first to Figs. 1 to 4:, inclusive, the machine is provided with a suitable frame 1 of any desired configuration, in which the operative parts of themachine are mounted. This frame 1 is surmounted by a flat top 2, which forms in effect a table for supporting the plate while it is being registered and on which the plate is moved past the first trimming or finishing devices.

In machines constructed in accordance wlth the lnventlon, there Wlll be provided registering devices whereby the plate may be registered, or trued up, and the machine will also .be provided with mechanism for producing in the trued up plate registering guides by which the plate is controlled during'the trimming or finishing thereof, the plate after it has been once true up by the operator, requiring no further truing or registering while it is being trimmed. lVhile the registering devices employed may vary ernbodiment of the invention illustrated these devices include two registering devices which 7 are fixed with respect to two adjacent sides of the plate, these devices being arranged at right angles to each other, and the plate, as

to two of its sides, being trued up or reglstered by these devices. As shown, these devices are in the form of thin wires 3, 4, these wires being supported in blocks 5 mounted so as to be adjustable in brackets 6 secured to the top 2 of the table, before referred to. p These registering wires as shown extend atright angles to each other and extend above the table a sufiicient distance to permit the plat o p ss b neath them, and

dotted lines, Fig. 1)

they are of sufiicient length to accommodate the largest plate which is to be registered. The plate, marked P, is placed on the table by the operator and is trued or registered with respect to the printed matter on the surface thereof by means of these registering wires. lVhen the plate has thus been trued or registered, the two adjacent sides, marked X and Y, are in proper registered position with respect to the trimming mechanism hereinafter referred to by which these two sides ofthe plate are trimmed.

In trimming plates having a small amount of printing matter on the surface, as, for instance, a simple copyright notice, which might appear in the center of the plate, it would be difiicult, if not impossible, to true up or register such plates by means of the registering devices just described. In machines embodying the invention in its best form, therefore, movable registering devices are employed which can be moved by the operator to any portion of the plate WllClCOIl the printed matter may appear, the devices being moved close to this printing matter and enabling the operator to accurately true up theplate. While this might be done by moving the registering wires 3, 4;, before referred to, in the best constructions, for reasons hereinafter referred to, there are 35 provided a pair of movable registering guides 7, 8.

The guide 7, which is in the form of a blade, is pivotally mounted on a rod 9 which issupported in a sliding sleeve 10 mounted to slide on a rod 11 extending lengthwise of the machine. On the rod 11 is a collar stop 1.), against which the sleeve takes and which acts to hold the sleeve and the guide blade in proper relation with the edge of the plate. As the sleeve can slide on the rod 11, the blade may be moved in over the plate to any portion thereof where the printed matter, with respect to which the plate is to be registered, may be readily accessible to the operator, it being understood that when the sleeve is against the stop, the trimming mechanism hereinafter referred to, by which the side A of the plate is trimmed, will be in proper position to effect the trimming on the registered line. Similarly, the registering guide Sis mounted so that it can be moved to any desired position with respect to the printed matter on the plate. As illustrated, this guide is pivotally mounted on a 12!) pin 18 carried in. a boss 14. 011 the end of a slide bar 15. This slide bar 15 may slide back and forth in a slot 16 (indicated by in a bar 17, hereinafter referred to. A cap 18 may be provided for holding the bar 15 in the slide, and in this cap may be positioned an adjustable stop 19 taking against the boss 1-1, before referred to, it being understood that h n the registering blade 8 is back against 1 the stop the edge B of the plate will be in correct position to be trimmed by the trimming mechanism hereinafter described which operates on this plate edge. The stop 19 is made adjustable preferably So that any difference in alinement of the trimming mechanism and the gage, due to reduction in diameter of the trimming cutter, by grinding or otherwise, may be accurately compensated for.

In machines embodying the invention in its best form, means will be provided, after the plate has been trued up or registered as described, for forming registering guides in a margin of the plate, these guides being thus formed to effect a control of the plate during the subsequent trimming and finishing operation, so that it will not have to again be trued or registered. While the particular form of such registering guides and the particular mechanism for producing. them may be somewhat varied, in the machine disclosed there are provided a pair of punches 20, 21 which are manipulated by the operator to produce two spaced holes or cutsin the margin of the plate, this margin, in the particular instance illustrated, being that marked Y. These punches may be mounted or operated in any suitable or de sired manner, but in the particular construction illustrated (see Figs. 2 and 3) these punches are carried in a sliding block 22 which has a rearwardly extending projection 23, the sides of which are beveled as indicated at 24, these sides sliding in correspondingly beveled guides in a bracket 25. In the best constructions, the bracket 25 will also carry an adjusting gib 26 adjustable toward the back by means of screws 27 for holding the projection firmly in the bracket and preventlng any side slip of the sliding block 22. In the best constructions, the sliding block 22 is operated to cause the cutters to effect their punching operation against the tension of spring 28 carried from a pin 20 on the block and a pin 30 secured to the table top 2, before referred to.

They sliding block may be operated to effect the punching operation in any suitable manner, as from a link 31 carried on an arm 32 fast on a rock shaft 33, Fig. 4. The rock shaft 33 is operated in any suitable manner, as by means of a treadle 34: operating a compound lever construction indicated by the numerals 35, 36, this construction being adapted to obtain as great a power as is necessary for effecting the punching operation.

After the plate is punched, it is removed by the operator from the punches and is ready to be sent through the trimming and finishing mechanism by which the margins are removed from the plate. In accordance with the invention, the plates are carried through. the trimming and finishing mecha nism, controlled by the guides which have been punched in one of the margins of the plate, and mechanism is provided by the present invention for effecting this. While the specific construction of this mechanism may vary, there will be provided a pair of carriers which will, in the best constructions, operate to carry the plate in courses at right angles to each other so as to avoid the necessity of turning the plate, and these carriers will carry the plate past the cutting mecha nism which will out or trim all four margins. The specific construction of the carriers may vary widely. The first carrier will, however, be provided with means for cooperating with the registcring guides cut in the plate so as to control the plate while two of its edges are trimmed and deliver it to the second carrier so that its positioning on the second carrier will be controlled by the same means. As illustrated, the first carrier comprises a block 37 having V-shaped sides and which slides in a pair of v shaped guides 38, best shown in Fig. 11, mounted on brackets 39 suitably secured to the frame of the machine. Bolted or otherwise suitably secured to this sliding block 38 is a blade 40, provided at each end with projections e1 shaped to enter the guides cut in the plate as hereinbefore described. The too of the table is slotted, as shown at 42 (see liig. 11), to permit the blade L0 to slide on top of the table 2 and to push or carry the plate along with it.

The carrier block 37 may be operated in any suitable manner to have the back and forth sliding movement to effect the carriage of the plate. In the particular construction shown, an extension 43 on carrier block 37 has pivotally secured thereto at a l: one end 15 of a crank arm L6. This crank arm 46 is pivotally secured at 4.7 near the periphery of a gear 48 so as to rotate therewith. The other end 49 of the crank arm carries a roll 50 which works in a groove 52 (see Figs. 2

and 5) which extends at right angles to the track 38, before referred to, in which works the extension -13 of the carrier head. friction is transmitted to the gear 48 in any suitable manner, as from a worm 53 on a short horizontal shaft 541. This shaft 5% carries a bevel gear 55 which meshes with bevel gear 56 on one end of a. main driving shaft 57 this driving shaft being operated from any suitable source of power (not illustrated).

l/Vith this construction the reciprocation of the carrier is effected with a'sh'ort movement of the motive parts and a substantial reduction in the size of the machine secured.

In the construction so far described, when it is desired to trim a plate, the carrier blade is in the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. The operator takes the plate, which has been trued and registered, and places it on the table in front of the blade carrier,

with the notches in the plate in engagement with the projections on the carrier head. Assuming the machine to be started, the carrier is moved forward the required distance and retracted by the crank arm 46, above referred to, the different positions of the arm 46 being illustrated in Figs. 3, 5 and 6, Fig. 3, showing the positions of the parts when the carrier is at the full extent of its forwardmovement, Fig. 6, the position of the crank arm when the carrier is partially retracted, and Fig. 5 the positions of the parts when the carrier is fully retracted.

It is desirable in this class of machine that means be provided whereby the driving mechanism may be stopped after any complete cycle of its operation or, in case of some mishap, at any point in its cycle. Means are therefore provided by the present invention for effecting these results which may be of various suitable characters. An eihcientconstruction, however, is that illustrated. Referring to Figs. 3 and 5, the shaft 54, before referred to, is mounted in bearings 58, 59, the bearing 58 (see Fig. being fulcrumed on the main driving shaft 57, before referred to, so that the bearing and the shaft 54 can swing around this fulcrum without disengaging the driving gears 55, 56. The bearing 59, in which the other end of the shaft 54L is carried, is swiveled on the end of a rock arm 60 mounted on a stud 61. Extending from the top of the bearing 59 is a stud 62 on which swings a latch arm 63, the latch 64.0f which latches over a stop 65 fast to the frame of'the machine. The other end of the latch arm 62 carries a cam plate 66 with which is arranged to cooperate a pin 67 carried on the main gear 48, before referred to. This pin, after the gear makes a complete revolution, thus effecting a complete forward cycle of the carrier, trips the latch and permits the shaft 54 to be swung sidewise by means of a spring 68 so that the worm 53 is thrown out of mesh with the ear. a The shaft is swung in the opposite direction to cause engagement of the pinion 53 and the gear 48 by means of a treadle 69 and lever connections 70, 71 to the other end of the rock arm-60, before referred to, Figs. 3, 4 and 5.

Means may be provided for effecting a stoppage of the machine at any point in the cycle ofthe carrier movement. These means may be of any desired character, but as illustrated include a rod 72 which is connected with the latch arm 62, before referred to, by

pushing which the latch may be tripped and the parts thrown out of operative connection.

The first carrier mechanlsm heretofore described brings the plate past the trimming mechanism by which the sides X, B are trimmed. In the best constructions,

means are provided for firmly holding the plate in engagement with the controlling projections on the carrier while the plate is being trimmed by the trimming mechanism. lVhilo these means may vary somewhat in character, in the preferred construction and as shown there are provided a pair of presser rolls (see Fig. 2) 7 3, 74:, the roll 73 acting to hold the plate as it comes up against the cutter, and the roll 74 acting to hold the plate after the Center of the plate has passed the cutter and after the tail of the plate has passed the roll 73. In the best constructions, furthermore, these rolls, where presser rolls are used for holding the plate in position, are mounted so as to have a yielding pressure on the plate, the rolls being supported above the table and normally a less distance from the table than the thickness of the plate, so that as the plate passes beneath the rolls it causes them to be placed under tension and to firmly hold the plate in position. This tcnsioning means may be of any suitable character. In the construction shown, the rolls are carried by vertically moving rods or stems 75 which pass through suitable apertures in a support-- ing bracket 76. Each stem is provided with a shoulder 77 between which and the top of the bracket 76 are provided springs 78, against which the rolls are moved by the plate and which cause the rolls to lirmly hold the plate in position.

Various forms of trimming mechanism may be employed for trinnning or finishing the sides of the plate. in the particular construction shown, the two sides of the plate first trimmed or finished are operated upon by a pair of saw cutters of any suitable or desirable character to produce the required finish to the edge of the plate, these cutters being indicated by the numerals SO, 81 (see Fig. 1). In the best constructions, one of these cutters is made adjustable to and from the other, so as to accommodate plates of different sizes. In the particular construction illustrated, the cutter 81 is made adjustable, the cutter being mounted stationary in the frame of the machine on a cutter spindle 82 carried in suitable bearings. The mechanism whereby the cutter 81. is made adjustable may be of any suitable character. In the particular construction illustrated (see Figs. 1 and 3) the cutter is carried on a spindle 83 supported in a. long bearing 84 which is supported from a head 85, this head 85 at one edge being provided aboutmidway with a tongue 86 which takes into a guide groove 87 supported from a bracket 88 suitably secured to the machine frame. The head 85 is tapped at 89 to receive the threaded end of a short shaft 90, the other end of this short shaft taking bearing in the frame of the machine and be- .ing rovided beyond the frame with a miter gear 91. This miter gear meshes with a miter 92 on a transverse shaft 93 supported in suitable bearings secured to the frame of the machine and is operated by a hand adjusting wheel 94. By this construction the .cutter 81 may be given the requisite adjusting movement to and from the other cutter. As usual, a guard, such as 95, is provided for protecting the cutter and for throwing the chips out of the Way of the succeeding plates.

In machines embodying the invention in its best form, after the plate has had two edges trimmed by the cutters 80, 81, the plate will be delivered to a second carrier under the control of the plate controlling projections on the first carrier, this carrier preferably being operated at right angles to the path of movement of the first carrier, so as to avoid the necessity of turning the plate, and at the same time requiring the use of but one more trimming device for trimming the two untrimmed edges of the plate, the cutter 80 being utilized for trimming one of these edges. While the particular mechanism for effecting this may be varied, in the particular construction shown the second carrier is in the form of a table 96 having V-shaped sides, as shown in Fig. 2, which run in Vshaped grooves 97 provided in the frame. This carrier table, as shown best in Fig. 10, is provided at its underside with a rack 98, by which the carrier is given its longitudinal movement at right angles to the movement of the first carrier. This sceond carrier may be operated to have this movement in any suitable manner. Referring particularly to Figs. 2 and 10, there is provided, cooperating with the rack 98, a toothed sector 99 fast to one end of a short shaft 100. The other end of this short shaft carries a pinion 101. Secured to the main drivinggear 48, so as to rotate therewith, is a cam head 102, in which head is formed a cam groove 103. Taking into this cam groove is a cam roll (see Figs. 2 and 11) 104, this cam roll being carried on an arm 105 on a short shaft 106. The other end of this shaft, as shown in Figs. 3 and 11, carries a sector 1.07, which sector is in mesh with the pinion 101, before referred to. These parts are so timed that the carrier is moved into position to receive the plate and is held stationary by the proper timing of the cam roll104, before referred to, before the first carrier has completel finished its forwarding movement, and t 1e plate is delivered to the second carrier while so held, the plate being accurately positioned on the second carrier by the plate controlling projections on the first carrier, the plate being left in such position when the first carrier withdraws. g In machines embodying the'invention in its best form, means are provided whereby plates of different sizes may be positioned on the second carrier and held firmly in position on the carrier while being trimmed or finished. While these means may be varied somewhat in character, in the best constructions the rack 98, before referred to, is mounted to have a sliding movement relatively to thecarrier. The rack is provided (see Fig. 10) with what may be termed a pusher 108 which slides on the top of the second carrier 96. This second carrier table has secured thereto an arm 109 pivoted at 110 in a bracket 111 fast to the table top. This swinging arm 109 carries bearings 112 in which is supported a presser roll 113. This presser roll is normally held in pressing position at a distance slightly below the place which will be occupied by the surface of the incoming plate. The roll is furthermore so mounted that it can be moved against the tension of springs 11. 1, to permit the roll to rise slightly and allow the plate to pass beneath it.

The carrier is provided at its forward end with a stop 115, against which the edge of the plate is forced by the movement of the pusher 108, before referred to. This pusher is, as shown in Fig. 10, mounted to have a sufiicient movement so that it can be moved beyond the edge of the largest plate which is to be trimmed. At the beginning of the operation of the second carrier, this pusher first comes up against one of the trimmed edges of the plate and, through the plate abutting against stop 115, which has been adjusted so that as the plate is moved forward by the first carrier, it will nearly come against it, moves the carrier table 96, the p ate being held in position by the pusher and the stop and by the presser roll 113. This construction permits the finishing of plates of varying sizes, without requiring any adjustment in the operation of the drivin or clamping mechanisms.

Vhere this construction is employed, it is necessary, to deliver the plate, to lift the plate from the front stop, and to effect this it is necessary that the roll should be so mounted that it can be moved to be entirely free of the plate. While various constructions may be employed for this purpose, as illustrated there is provided what may be called a controller bar 116, this bar being mounted to slide in brackets 117, one of which is shown in Fig. 1. The arm 109, before referred to, carries a controlling roll 118, which controlling roll rides along the bottom of the controlling bar 116 and acts with the bar to hold. the arm in down position and the roll 113 firmly in contact with the late, the arm being rocked on its pivot to a low the roll to be lifted by a spring 109 (see Fig. 10). i The controller bar is provided at each end with slots 119, in which take pins 120 fast on the brackets 117 before referred to. The controller bar also has secured thereto at each end stop fingers 121 which are in the path of lugs 122 fast on the arm 109. As will be apparent from an inspectionof Fig. 1, as the arm 109 reaches the, delivery end of its movement, the pin 120, riding in the slot 119, raises the bar and permits the arm 109 to swing on its pivot and lift the roll 113 free of the plate. The controller bar 116 is given its sliding movement by means of the stops 121 which contact with the lugs 122 during the reciprocating movement of the arm 109, one of these steps 121 being shown at the right hand side, of the lug 122 in Fig. 10, and the otherstop being shown at the left hand side of the lug 122 in Fig. 14.

As the second carrier is given its forward movement, the two untrimm ed edges of the plate, which, in the particular instance illustrated are those marked A and Y, are

trimmed and finished by suitable trimming mechanism. As before stated, one edge,as Y, is trimmed by the trimming cutter 80, before rcferred to. The other edge of the plate is trimmed by a trimming cutter 123 shown in Fig. 3, to receive the threaded end of a short shaft 129 taking bearing in the frame of the machine, this shaft at its outer end being provided with a miter 130 which meshes with a miter 131 on a short miter shaft 132, the outer end of this miter shaft being provided with a miter 133 meshing with a miter 134 on an operating shaft 135 extending acrossthe machine, this shaft being operated by a suitable adjusting hand wheel 136. WVith this constructionthe cutter shaft 124 maybe adjusted to and from the cutter 80 within any desired or required limits.

Any suitable mechanism may be employed for driving the cutters. In the particular construction illustrated, these cutters are driven continuously from the main driving shaft 57, before referred to, through a belt 137 passing over a large pulley 138, this belt also passing over suitable driving pul- I. leys 139 on the ends of the cutter spindles.

In the best constructions, means are provlded for taking up the stretch of the belt and for the difference in belt length as the spindles may be adjusted to and from each other, as hereinbefore described. While these means may be of any suitable character, as shown this is effected by means of a weight 140, shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4, this weight depending from a chain 111 passing over a pulley 142 and being secured to a sliding block 143 in which is mounted a tension pulley 144, the block being mounted to slide in a short frame 145. As any of the spindles are adjusted, the weight automatically takes care of the difference in the belt lengths caused by such adjustment and keeps the belt at proper tension.

In machines embodying the invention, where three cutters are used for all the trimming operations, one of the cutters, as 80, operates to trim two sides of a plate. hen the cutter has finished the trimming of the plate as it is carried by the first carrier and then operates to trim the other edge of the plate when it is on the second carrier, the chips from the second opera tion would be liable to fall in the path of the first carrier, unless means were provided to prevent this. While various devices may be employed for the purpose, in the particular construction illustrated the cutter is provided with a guard 146, the front wall of which or that wall toward the ad- Vancing plate, is made so that it can be moved so as to inclose the cutter teeth and be moved out of the way of the teeth to permit the teeth to act on the plate. As illustrated, the guard is provided (see particularly Figs. 5, 8 and 9) with a sliding front wall or segment 147 this wall sliding in guide blocks 148. This movable segment is carried by an arm 149, which arm is connected to an arm which is one arm of a bell crank lever, the other arm being indicated by the numeral 150. This lever is operated, in the particular construction illustrated, by the movement of the carrier. To efl'ect this, the carrier is provided with a finger 151, which finger is in the path of lugs 152 carried on a sliding bar 153 mounted, through any suitable pin and slot connection 154, to slide on the main guide bracket 39, before referred to. With this construction, as the first carrier moves forward with the plate, the guard is moved out of the way so that the teeth of the cutter 80 can act on the plate. As the carrier moves backward, the guard is operated through the connections described so that it rises and incloses the teeth of the cutter, with the result that lifted up. Referring to Figs. 10 and 14 it will be understood that the arm 109 has been released by the controller bar 116, so that it has lifted the roll 113 to the position shown in Fig. 145. When the parts are in this position, lifter pins 155 normally held in depressed position in the table 96 by means of light springs 156, are operated to lift theplate above the stop 115. As shown in Fig. 14, the releasc'of these pins is effected. in the particular construction illus hated by a leaf spring 157 which is controlled by a stop arm 158 carried on the arm 109, before referred to.

When the parts have reached. the position shown in Fig. 14, the machine is stopped as hereinbefore described, the first carrier having been brought back to its initial position. Another plate is then put into the machine, and the mechanism again started. At this time, the second carrier 96 begins its rearward movement. As before described, the forward movement of this carrier is given to it through the plate. The rearward movement of the carrier is given to it through suitable connections, which will now be described. It may be stated here, however, that these connections will be such that the stopping rearward movement of the carrier willbe a yielding movement, so as to compensate for any lost motion in the parts which might prevent the second carrier from assuming a correct position with respect to the first carrier, for receiving the plate therefrom. While these connections may be of various characters, in the particular constructionillustrated (see Figs. 1, 10, and 14) the carrier table 96 is formed at one end with a cross bar 159 through which passes a spring rod 160, this spring rod being positioned so that the end of the rack 98, before referred to, can abut against a spring 161 on this rod, adjusting nuts 162 being provided for adjusting the tension of the spring, the spring rod and cross bar being carried by the carrier. When the rack begins its rearward movement the end of the rack presses against the end of the spring and spring rod and moves the same until the spring has been put under the adjusted tension, when the rack will begin to move the carrier table rearwardly. At the rearward end of the rack movement, the table comes up against a fixed stop 163 suitabl secured in the frame of the machine, whic stop, if desired, may be in the form of adjusting screws, these screws preferably being adj ustable so as to allow for necessary travel of the table due to regrinding of the cutters and consequent variation caused thereby. With this construction, it will be seen that because of the spring, lost motion and consequent necessary further travel of the rack, is taken care of and the front stop on the table is always positioned in the place to which it is adjusted with respect to the forward movement of the first carrier.

The plates preferably are delivered automatically from the machine to any suitable sort of holder. This may be effected in various ways. In the particular construction illustrated, as the second carrier begins its rearward movement, the plate simply rides over the stop 115 and the stop slides along beneath the plate. As the retractin movement continues, the stop clears the pl ate and the plates drop down on the main table 2 of the machine, before referred to.

To prevent the plate from being carried rearwardly by the table, holders are preferably provided which are in the form of pivot fingers 16 1 (Fig. 14:), secured to the frame of the machine, these fingers being mounted so as to have a movement in one direction, but not in the other, this construction being adopted to permit the plates to move forward beneath them and to be held against return movement, the plates being thus held in position on the table. On the next forward movement of the second carrier a pusher 165 carried thereby pushes against the edge of the plate and shoves the plate off of the table top. The plate is shoved off the table top until the weight of the projecting end thereof is sufiicient to cause the plate to tip down. When the plate thus tips down its leans on the face of a swinging de livery arm 166 pivoted on a short shaft 167. The plate lies on this arm, which is given a rocking movement by a second pusher 168, also carried by the second carrier, this pusher pushing against a nose 169 on the lower side of the delivery arm. The action of this is to tip the plate into position against a collecting rack 170 supported on endless belts 171, these belts passing over pulleys 172 on the shaft 167, before referred to, and studs 173. The collecting or delivery rack is moved one plate thickness at each succeeding delivery of a plate by the weight of the succeeding plate pushing against the one ahead. From this delivery rack the plates may be delivered in any suitable man ner. If desired, antifriction rollers 17 4 may be provided, located below the upper run of the belts.

In machines embodying the invention in its best form, devices will be provided whereby the adjustment of the adjustable cutters 81, and 123(Fig. 3) and the corresponding adjustable registering devices, when employed, may be effected by the same movement, so that when the operator has registered the plate by the registering devices he will know that the cutters on the adjustable cutter spindle have likewise been so adjusted as to be in correct position relatively to the adjusting devices. While various specific connections may be employed for this urpose, in the particular construction Hasfore referred to, carries a bracket 175 in whichis supported one end of a rod 17 6 exshown in Fig.

tending lengthwiseof the machine (Fig. 3). This rod 17 6 at its other end is supported in a guiding bracket 177 and beyond the guiding bracket has secured thereto an arm 178which extends up through the table, as 1, and forms at one end a support for the adjusting rod 11, before referred to. When the gage 7 is to be adjusted, the adjustment is effected by operating'the, handle186 which, through the connections described, operates the head 125 and, through it, the rod and arm construction just referred to, moving the rod 11 and through the described connections from the rod, the adjusting gage 7, the gage and cutter spindle thus being simultaneously adjusted to the same extent.

The registering gage 8 is also adjusted in a similar manner simultaneously and coextensively with the. adjustable cutter spindle 81. Various connections for effecting this may be provided, but as shown the head 85, supporting the cutter spindle, is formed with a long bracket 17 9, a bent up arm, the end ofwhieh, 180, extends up through a slot 181 in the table top '2, before referred to. To the'upstanding arm 180 is secured one end of bar 17, before referred to, from which the registering device 8 is operated. lVith this construction, therefore, the cutter and registering gage 8, when it is to be adjusted, is adjusted through the hand wheel 9d and the connections to the cutter spindle 83, before referred to, the adjustment of the spindlea nd gage being simultaneous and coextensive.

While theiinvention has been shown and described in What/is believed to be its best embodiment, it is obvious that many changes and variations may be made in the specific structures for carrying out the invention,

and it willbe understood that such changes may be made without departing from the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is: 1

'1. In a plate finishing machine, the combination of means for finishing two edges of a plate, means for engaging registering guides in said plate during the finishing operation to control the plate during such operation,,an :l means for finishing the other two edges of the plate to which means the plate is delivered while under control of th means engaging the guides.

2. In a plate finishingmachine, the combination of means for finishing two edges of a plate, means for engaging registering guides in said plate during the finishing operation to hold the plate during such operation, and means for finishing the other two edges of the plate to which means the plate is delivered while under control of the means engaging the guides.

3. In a plate finishing machine, the combination of a plate forwarding means, means for finishing two edges of the plate, means for engaging registering guides in said plate while the plate is forwarded to control the plate while finishing said two edges, and means for finishing the other two edges of the plate to which means the plate is delivered while under control of the means engaging the guides.

4:. In a plate finishing machine, the combination of plate forwarding means, means for finishing two edges of the plate, means for engaging registering guides in said plate to hold the plate while it is forwarded and finished by said means, and means for finishing the other two edges of the alate to which means the plate is delivered w rile under control of the means engaging the guides.

In a plate finishing machine, the combination of plate forwarding means, means for finishing two edges of a plate, means for engaging registering guides in said plate during the finishing operation to control the plate during such operation, a second plate forwarding means moving at right angles to the first forwarding means to which second forwarding means the plate is delivered while under the control of the means ongaging the guides, and means for finshing the other two edges of the plate.

6. In a plate finishing machine, the combination of plate forwarding means, means for finishing two edges of the plate, means for engaging registering guides in the plate to forward andhold the plate during the finishing operation, a second plate forwarding means moving at right angles to the first means to which second forwarding means the plate is delivered while under control of the means engaging the guides, and means for finishing the other two edges of the plate.

7 In a plate finishing machine, the combi nation of plate forwarding means operating to forward a plate having registering guides formed in an edge thereof, means carried by the forwarding means cooperating with the guides for controlling the plate while it is being forwarded, means for finishing two edges of the plate while under control of the forwarding means, and means for finishing the other two edges of the plate, to which latter means the plate is delivered while controlled by the first forwarding means.

8. In a plate finishing machine, the combination of plate forwarding means operating to forward a plate having registering guides formed in an edge thereof, means carried by the forwarding means engaging the uides for holding the late while it is being .orwarded, means for nishing two edges of the plate while held by the forwarding means, and means for finishing the other two edges of the plate, to which latter means the plate is delivered while held by the firstforwarding means. a

9. In a plate finishing machine, the combination of plate forwarding means operating to forward a plate having registering guides formed in an edge thereof, means carried by the forwarding means and cooperating with the guides for controllingthe plate while it is being forwarded, a second plate forwarding means operating at right angles to the first forwarding means, to which second means the plate is delivered while under the control of the first forwarding means, andmeans for finishing the other two edges of the late when forwarded by the second forwar ing means.

10. In a plate finishing machine, the combination of plate forwarding means operating to forward a plate having registering guides formed in an edge thereof, means carried by the forwarding means andcooperating with the guides for holding the plate while it is being forwarded, a second forwarding means operating at right angles to the first forwarding means, to which second means the plate is delivered while. held by the first forwarding means, and means for finishing the other two edges of the plate when forwarded by the second forwarding means. r a

11. In a plate finishing machine, the combination with plate forwarding means provided with devices cooperating with guides formed in the edge of a plate, of a pair of finishing cutters, one of which is adjustable to and r ishing two edges of the plate while controlled by the forwarding means, a second forwarding means to which the plate is delivered by the first forwarding means, and a pair of cutters, one of whichis adjustable to and from the second forwarding means, for finishing the other two edges of the plate. v 12. In a plate finishing machine, the com-- bination of a plate forwardingcarrier, plate engaging pro ections carried thereby for engaging registering guides formed in the edge of a plate and cooperating therewith for holding the plate in position, trimming devices for trimmingtwo edges of theplate while held by the projections, .a second for warding carrier to which the plate is-de livered by the first carrier, and trimming devices past which the plate is moved by the second carrier for trimming the other two edges of the plate. a v

13. In a plate finishing machine, the combination of a plate forwarding carrier, plate engaging projections carried thereby for enom the forwarding means, for fingaging registering guidesformed in the edge of the plate and cooperating therewith for holding the plate in position, trimming de vices for trimming two edges of the plate while held by the projections, a second forwarding carrier moving at right angles to the first carrier to'which the plate is delivered by the first carrier, and trimming devices pastjwhich the plate is moved by the second carrier for trimming the other two edges of the plate. a a

1.4;. In a plate finishing machine, thecombination of a plate forwarding carrier, plate engaging projections carried thereby for engaging registering guides formed in the edge of a plate and cooperating therewith for holding the plate in position, trimming devices including a pair of cutters, oneof which isadjustabletoward the carrier, for trimming twoiedges of theiplate while held by the projections, a second forwarding carrier moving at right angles to thefirst carrier to which the plate is delivered. by the first carrier, and trimming devices, including a pair ofcutters, one of which is adjustabletowardthe secondcarrier, past which the plate is moved by the second carrier for trimming the other two edges of the plate.

15. In a plate finishing machine, the combination of forwarding devices, means carried thereby for engaging registering guides formed in the edge of a plate whereby the plate is controlled during its forwarding movement, means for finishing two edges of the plate while controlled. by;the forwarding devices, additional means for positively holding-the plate in engagement with the controlling devices while the plateis being finished, and means for finishing the other two edgesof the plate to which the plate is delivered by the forwarding devices.

.16. In a plate finishing machine, the combination of forwarding devices, means carried thereby for engaging registering guides formed in the edge of a plate whereby the plate: is controlled. during its forwarding movement, means for finishing two edges of the plate while controlled by the forward ing devices, a tension roll for holding the plate a in engagement with the controlling projections while the plate is being finished, andnieans for finishingtheother two edges ofthe plate, to which the plate is delivered by the forwarding devices.

.17. In a platefinish'ng machine, the combination of forwarding devices, means carried thereby for engaging. registering guides formed in the edge of a plate whereby the plate is controlled durin its forwarding movement, means for finishing two edges of the plate while controlled by the forward ing devices, a pair of spaced tension rolls for holding the plate in engagement with the controlling projections while the plate is being finished,jand means for finishing the other two edges of-theplate, to which the anglesto. thefirst carrier to which the plate is delivered while controlled by the first carrier, means for finishin the other two edges of the plate while it is being forwardedby'the second carrier, andpositioning and holding devices for holding the plate in position on the secondcarrier While it is-bein trimmed. 19. nap'late finishing machine,the combination-ofplate registering devices, means for adjusting the devices'to register different sized plates, means for finishing theregistered plates, and means for simultaneously finishing "mechanlsm's "'20; In a-plateyfinishing machine,'the com,-

bination of ad ustable gages for reglsterlng di'fierenteized plates, plate finishing devices,

and: connections between the gages and the finishing devices whereby theymay be simultaneously adjusted; l r

211111 a plate finishing machine, the combination of" plate registering devices, means for adjn'stingfthe'devices to register difierent sized' plates, and meansfor forming in an edge "of the" registered 7 plate registering guides: by 'whi'ch the plate maybe controlled it isbein finished; x I

23. f In a plate finishing machine, the combination 'of plate regi tering devices, means for a' djustin'g the devices to register different sized plates, a pair ofpn'neh'es 'for punching an edge of the registered plate j notches in by which theplate' may be controlled while it "is being "finished,"'and punch operating meansfl "f" i 24; Ina plate finishing machine, the combination of'p'late registering devices, means for' independently adjusting the devices to register different sized plates, and independ ently 'ad1ustable finishingdeviees simultarmealsn me late registering devices. fj-

V g 25'. In a plate finishing machine, the combination'of finishing means for finishing an ad usting the registering devices and the edge of a plate, and means for engaging registering guides in said plate during the finishing operation to control the plate during such operation.

26. In a plate finishing machine, the combination of finishing means for finishing an edge of a plate, and means for engaging registering guides, in saidplate to hold the plate during the finishing operation.

27. In a plate finishing machine, the combination with a plate -forwarding carrier, of means for finishing two edges of a plate while forwarded by the carrier, a second forwarding carrier to which the plate is de livered by the first carrier, means for giv ing the plate a forward movement independent of the second carrier, means for finishing the other two edges of the plate, and means for giving the second carriera for warding movement past the finishing mechanism.

' 28." In aplate finishing machine, the 001m bination of means for forwarding a plate, and a plurality 0i finishing devices for finishing ;all the edges of the'plate, one of each other foriforwarding a plate, and a.

plurality of finishing devices past which the plate is forwarded, one of said finishing devices acting to finish two edges of a plate.

31. In a plate finishingmaehine, the com A p binationof a pair of reciprocating carriers 22. In a. plate finishing machine, the com bination of plate registering devices, means 5 for adjusting'th'e'devices to register different sizedplatesfandmeans for forming at one si deof the registeredplateregistering guides bywhichfthe platema be controlled while ibination. of a plate carrier, means for dclivering a plate to the carrier in registered position, means for giving the plate a for warding movement independent of the we Tier, edge finishing mechanism, and means for giving the carrier a forwarding move ment past the finishing means.

a plate finishing machine, the combinationota "plate carrier, means for deliveringa plate to the carrier in registered position, "means" for giving the plate a forwarding movement independent of the carrier ed e finishin mechanism means for giving the carrier a forwarding n'iovement past'the finishing means,'and a delivery mechanism fordelivering the plate from the second carrier,

34. In a plate finishing machine, thecombination of a plate carrier, means for delivering a plate to the carrier in registered position, means for giving the plate a forward 5 movement independent of the carrier, means for holding the plate in registered position on the carrier, edge finishing mechanism, and means for giving the carrier a forwarding movement past the edge finishing mechanism.

, 35. In a plate finishing machine, the combination of a plate carrier, means for delivering a plate to the carrier in registered position, means for giving the plate a forward movement independent of the carrier,

I means for holding the plate in registered position on the carrier, edge finishing mechanism, means for giving the carrier a forwarding movement past the finishing means, and means for releasing the holding means to free the plate.

36. In a plate finishing mechanism, the combination of a plate carrier, means for delivering a plate thereto in re istered posi' tion, means for holding the p ate in registered position on the carrier, and means fgr releasing the holding means to free the p ate.

37 In a plate finishing machine, the combination of a plate carrier to which a plate may be delivered in registered position, a stop, edge finishin mechanism, means for giving the plate a orwarding movement inependently of the carrier to bring it against the stop, then a forwarding movement with the carrier past the finishing means, and -means to free the plate from the stop.

38. In a plate finishin machine, the combination of a plate carrier to which a plate may be delivered in registered position, a stop, edge finishing means, means for giving the plate a forward movement independently of the carrier to bring it against the stop and then a forwarding movement with the carrier past the finishing means, and a pin below the plate for lifting the plate free of the stop.

39. In a plate finishing machine, the combination with a plate carrier to which a plate may be delivered in registered position, a stop on the carrier, edge finishing mechnism, a pusher for pushing the plate against the stop, means independent of the carrier for operating the pusher, to cause it to push the plate and carrier past the finishing means.

40. In a plate finishing machine, the com bination of aplate carrier, to which a plate may be delivered in registered position, means for holding a plate on the carrier in registered position, and a controller for operatin the holding means to free the plate.

41. n a plate finishing machine, the combination of a plate carrier to which the plate is delivered in registered position, a pivoted holding roll for holding the plate in registered position on the carrier, and a controller for rocking the roll to free the plate.

42. In a plate finishing machine, the combination of a plate carrier to which a plate may be delivered in registered position, a pivoted holding roller for holding the plate in registered position on the carrier, a controller for swinging the roller to free the plate, a plate stop on the carrier, and means for lifting the plate to clear the stop.

43. In a plate finishing machine, the combination of a plate carrier to which a plate may be delivered in registered position, means for giving the carrier a movement in one direction "through a plate carriedthereby, and means having connections with the carrier for moving it in the other direction.

44. In a plate finishing machine, the combination with a plate carrier to which a plate may be delivered in registered position, a stop, a pusher operated independently of the carrier for giving the plate a forward movement against the stop, a rack by which the pusher is carried, means for giving the rack a forward and backward movement, and yielding connections between the rack and the carrier.

45. In a plate finishing machine, the combination with a plate carrier to which a plate may be delivered in registered position, a stop on the carrier, a pusher independent of the carrier and means for operating it, whereby the carrier may be given a forwarding movement through the plate, a rack movable independently of the carrier for operating the pusher, connections between the rack and carrier for moving the carrier in the opposite direction, and means for moving the rack.

so. In a plate finishing machine, the combination with a plate carrier to which a plate may be delivered in registered posi tion, a stop on the carrier, a pusher independent of the carrier and means for operating it, whereby the carrier may be given a forwarding movement through the plate, a rack independent of the carrier for operat ing the pusher, connections including a spring between the rack and carrier for moving the carrier in the opposite directions, and means for moving the rack.

47. In a plate finishing machine, the combination with a reciprocating plate forwarding carrier, of edge trimming devices past which the plate is moved by the carrier, and a movable guard for one of the edge trim ming devices.

48. In a plate finishing machine, the combination with a reciprocating plate forwarding carrier, of edge trimming devices past which the plate is moved by the carrier, a movable guard for one of the edge trimming devices, and means operated by the carrier to move the guard out of the carrier path during the forwarding movement of the carrier. v l v 49'. In a plate finishing machine, the com- 7 bination of plate forwarding means, means for *finis'hing an edge of a plate, and means moving with the forwarding means for engaging registering guides in said plate during the finishing operation to control the plate during such operation. i

50. In a plate finishing machine, the combination of plate forwarding means, means for finishingthe edge of a plate, and means moving with the forwarding means for engaging registering guides in said plate andhold the plate during the finishing opera tion. a of y In a plate finishing machine, the combination of a plate support, registering devices movable over the plate to different positions' thereon to register the plate, and means for forming at one side of the registered plate registering guides by which the plate may be controlled while it is being finished.

52. In a plate finishing machine, the combination of a plate support, fixed registering devices, movable registering devices movable over the plate to diiferent positions thereon to register the plate, and means for forming at one side of the registered plate registering guides by which the plate may be controlled while it is being finished.

I11 witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands. I

WILLIAM M. 00D. HOWARD REYNOLDS. 

